4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Harris County, Texas.
Verified from official government sources
Security cameras on private property are legal in Harris County. Texas is a one-party consent state for recording conversations (Penal Code §16.02). Video surveillance of your own property is unrestricted. Cameras must not be used for voyeurism or to invade another person's privacy under Texas Penal Code §21.15.
Tex. Penal Code Sec. 21.15 (Invasive Visual Recording)
Sec. 21.15. INVASIVE VISUAL RECORDING. (a) In this section:(1) "Female breast" means any portion of the female breast below the top of the areola.(2) "Intimate area" means the naked or clothed genitals, pubic area, anus, buttocks, or female breast of a person.(3) "Changing room" means a room or portioned area provided for or primarily used for the changing of clothing and includes dressin...
Texas is a one-party consent state under Texas Penal Code §16.02. You may legally record a conversation if you are a party to it. Recording conversations you are not a party to without any party's consent is a felony. Video recording in public places is generally unrestricted.
Texas Penal Code Sec. 16.02 (Unlawful Interception, Use, or Disclosure of Wire, Oral, or Electronic Communications)
Sec. 16.02. UNLAWFUL INTERCEPTION, USE, OR DISCLOSURE OF WIRE, ORAL, OR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS. (a) In this section:(1) "Communication common carrier," "computer trespasser," "contents," "covert entry," "electronic communication," "intercept," "interception device," "investigative or law enforcement officer," "oral communication," "protected computer," and "wire communication" have the meani...
Unincorporated Harris County does not have comprehensive fence regulations like cities do. The City of Houston allows residential fences up to 8 feet without a permit. In unincorporated areas, there are minimal county restrictions on fence height or materials, though HOA deed restrictions may apply.
Harris County Sheriff and several constable precincts deploy Flock Safety automated license plate readers across unincorporated neighborhoods. Texas has no specific ALPR statute. Use is governed by the Sheriff's general policy, the Public Information Act, and constitutional limits on warrantless mass surveillance.
1 cities in Harris County have their own privacy & surveillance rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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